Private members clubs: A good idea for business travellers?

Most frequent business travellers madly squirrel away loyalty points to gain benefits while on the road. But some of those in the corporate game find their advantage by becoming a member of their local private members club. You may think these private clubs are an option solely for the wealthy elite, but while membership doesn’t come cheap, if you do a lot of independent business travel, belonging might just be worth your while.

I’ve been taking a business course at the Manitoba Club, located in downtown Winnipeg, from Cal Harrison, who also happens to be the president of the private club’s board of governors. Cal has a business development consulting practice and travels regularly, which got us talking about Tag Along Travel.

Generally, people join a private club for the specific member benefits alongside increased access to a business-oriented social network via club-sponsored events. But what I was interested to know was Cal’s take on whether membership at a city club has advantages specifically for frequent business travellers.

I learned that there are some interesting perks that come from the access members have to a network of reciprocal city clubs around the world. All it takes is a letter of introduction from your home club’s general manager.

Central location and personalized support

“Generally, because city clubs usually formed around the same time the city did, they’re located in the city centre or in the financial district,” explains Cal. “So when you’re travelling to a different city, they’re a good place to get yourself oriented.”

In addition to having a convenient, accessible location, members also have access to the club’s concierge services. This means that if you want to a book a town car, order flowers or get tickets to a show, the club’s got you covered.

In most cases, any costs you incur at a reciprocal club show up on your home club’s monthly invoice, making it unnecessary to keep track of various receipts for the purpose of claiming expenses.

Many city clubs feature stunning architectural touches.

Convenient and accessible accommodation

Many reciprocal clubs actually have onsite overnight accommodation, which is generally less expensive to access than a hotel room. They have the additional advantage of being above the pressures hotels can face when large conferences and events come to town.

When Cal attended the Dreamforce conference in San Francisco a few years ago, he faced skyrocketing hotel room costs as the world descended on the massive software conference. “I ended up finding that the University Club was only a couple of blocks away from the conference, and because its accommodations are only open to members, it was almost empty and room rates were substantially lower.”

Cal concedes that the rooms in private clubs may not be as well appointed as the highest end hotels, but the buildings are often architecturally unique, steeped in history, and have an exclusive vibe because you are not staying in a large, bustling hotel.

“If I were on the road for 30 days,” he states, “I may not want to exclusively book rooms at a city club depending on the destination. But in some situations, such as the one in San Francisco, it was a great plan B.”

No question, there is an exclusive feel when wandering the halls of a private club.

Where community leaders convene

“City clubs used to have a membership that was primarily just business people,” explains Cal. “But now I would describe it as community leaders, which could include some business people, politicians, or senior military or law enforcement members. These are people highly engaged and knowledgeable about their city.”

So if you want to get a read on the city’s dynamics, you could potentially get the inside scoop from your club member peers in the city you’re visiting.

A quiet place to work and meet

Although many a business deal has likely had its incubation at a local Starbucks, a noisy coffee shop is not ideal for every kind of meeting. Most city clubs have small private rooms making them an ideal spot for a distraction-free meeting. Increasingly, many have well-equipped business centres including wifi for a quite place to work between meetings and engagements.

Relax by the fireplace with a cocktail before dinner with a client.

A game of snooker could be just the way to close that deal.

Exclusive fine dining

I’ve been entertained by private club members during business travel on two occasions, once in Toronto and once in London. The personal attention and feeling of being in on something exclusive definitely elevates a business dinner. In London, Steve and I arrived before the club members we were meeting. Staff knew we were coming and we received a very warm, personalized welcome. As we waited at our table, someone seated at the next table struck up a brief conversation, which felt a like “inclusion in the group.” There was definitely a different dynamic than the typical restaurant dining experience.

Is a private members club worth the cost?

Private club costs vary from city to city. Most have an upfront fee and then regular monthly dues along with a minimum yearly amount you must pay in the form of meals and/or catering. Depending on the club, yearly fees can range from a few thousand to several thousand dollars.

Front entrance of the Manitoba Club.

Evaluating the perks of business travel loyalty rewards compared with private club membership is not really in the equation. A membership’s advantage primarily comes from the benefits you’ll get on your home turf in terms of networking and use of the facilities. I can see a definite advantage for recent expats trying to make connections in their new city.

For someone like Cal, who uses the club for training classes and seminars he holds regularly in addition to making business connections it also makes sense. The cost of renting office or meeting space at home and abroad tips the balance.

Do you belong to a members-only club? What are the advantages for you?

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